Former Police Station Hits Market with Puzzling Interior Feature
A disused police station in the heart of a West Scotland town has been listed for sale at £150,000, presenting a potential conversion opportunity into residential housing, subject to obtaining the necessary planning permissions. However, prospective buyers and online observers have been left thoroughly baffled by one particularly unexpected interior detail within the historic building.
Property Details and Layout
The stone-constructed property, located in Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute, spans two primary floors with an additional extension at the rear. The ground floor accommodation includes a functional office space, four holding cells, a kitchen preparation area, and dedicated toilet facilities. Ascending to the first floor reveals further office accommodation complemented by another row of cells.
The site also boasts considerable external amenities, including a substantial surfaced car park and a separate garage that was historically utilised for servicing police vehicles. The property is being marketed by Glasgow-based TSA Property Consultants, with comprehensive details and photographs available on the Rightmove platform.
The Baffling Cell Decor
While marketing images show various rooms containing abandoned furniture like tables, benches, and chairs—some covered in a thick layer of dust—and evidence of damp on certain walls, it is the appearance of one specific cell that has captured significant attention.
A photograph reveals one of the compact detention rooms decorated in a striking and unconventional colour scheme of jazzy grey, yellow, and red. This vibrant design stands in stark contrast to the austere, utilitarian aesthetic typically associated with police station cells, prompting widespread confusion and speculation online.
Online Reaction and Speculation
Reddit users have been particularly vocal in their puzzlement regarding the unusual paint job. One commentator suggested a more psychologically considered approach, stating: "I think I'd pick a more calming paint job for the cell if I was in charge of decorating a police station. Something like 'Frating Green', which is defined as the specific shade of green intended to make you feel comfortable in hospitals, industrious in schools, and uneasy in police stations."
Another user questioned the logic behind prioritising such decorative work, remarking: "This looks like it's been painted after it was a police station, but why when nothing else seems to have happened to the building? What were they planning on turning it into before giving up and putting it on the market? Why start with painting a cell rather than clearing the building and doing things like plumbing and electrics? This paint job is asking so many questions they should have put it in the interview room rather than a cell."
This sentiment was echoed by another user who theorised: "This was my thought process too. I'm pretty convinced it was painted like that when it was still a police station."
Potential Uses and Humorous Takes
Beyond the mystery of the decor, the property listing has sparked imaginative discussions about its potential future uses. One Reddit user humorously noted that having access to actual cells would be "so much better than the naughty step" for family discipline.
Another quipped about the domestic possibilities, saying: "I'd buy it and then insist that the family called me 'Guv' at all times whilst I walk round the place angrily saying 'not in my town'."
Formal Property Description
The official Rightmove advertisement describes the asset as: "The property comprises a former police station spanning across ground and first floor. The property benefits from traditional stone construction, surmounted by a pitched and slated roof with an additional extension to the rear. Vehicular access can be granted via Castlehill as well as numerous pedestrian entrances located at different points around the premises."
The listing continues: "Internally, the property consists of office accommodation alongside four holding cells, dedicated W/C facilities and a kitchen prep area. This is complemented by another row of cells and further office accommodation located on the first floor. The property also benefits from a large surfaced car park which contains a garage previously utilised for maintenance of police cars."
The listing presents a unique opportunity for conversion, but the enigmatic grey, yellow, and red cell ensures this former bastion of law enforcement will be remembered for more than just its stone walls and historical function.
